Is Grand Rapids or Saginaw Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Saginaw (Safety Score 14/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100,000 versus 4,170 for Saginaw — 19% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Saginaw — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Saginaw, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Saginaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 4,169.8 | -779.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 2,210.8 | -1,300.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 44.3 | -38.2 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 132.9 | -43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 135.3 | -18.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 1,889.0 | -1,191.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,959.0 | +521.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 536.4 | -268.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,128.7 | +700.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 293.8 | +90.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Saginaw safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100K vs 4,170 for Saginaw — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Saginaw has 2,210.8. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the Grand River, is known as "Furniture City" due to its rich manufacturing history. It's the second-largest city in Michigan, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 195,913, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 3,390.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Saginaw, MI
Saginaw, once a major lumbering center, is a city in Michigan's Lower Peninsula along the Saginaw River. It is a diverse community with a notable African American population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 42,880, Saginaw has a total crime rate of 4,169.8 per 100,000 residents.